Journal of Environmental Health and Sustainable Development

en The Dual Burden of Air Pollution During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of Physical and Psychological Consequences Air and waste management Systematic Review <div style="text-align: justify;">Introduction: Air pollution affects pregnant women and fetuses, leading to health complications. It increases risks like low birth weight, preterm labor and hypertension. Moreover, mental health issues such as depression and autism spectrum disorders may arise. Materials and Methods: This systematic review was conducted by examining data from four databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus covering the period from 2020 to 2024. The keywords used included "air pollution," "pregnant women," "fetal health," "pregnancy complications," "particulate matter," and "mental health". Using specific criteria, 109 studies were found. After excluding unrelated articles, 63 studies were analyzedand key information was extracted. Results: Air pollution significantly affects the physical and mental health of pregnant women. It increases the risk of depression, anxiety and autism spectrum disorders, with PM2.5 and NO2 being major contributors. Physical complications like preterm labor, gestational diabetes, miscarriage and preeclampsia are strongly linked to pollution. Lower-income women face higher exposure and mental health risks due to socioeconomic factors. Furthermore, living in urban areas and near pollution sources elevates health risks for mothers and fetuses. The second and third trimesters are the most vulnerable periods, highlighting the need for effective interventions. Conclusion: Air pollution severely affects the physical and mental health of pregnant women and fetuses, especially during the second and third trimesters. Preventive measures like air quality improvement and policy-making are crucial to protect maternal and fetal health.</div> Air Pollution, Pregnancy Outcome, Mental Health. 2589 2607 http://jehsd.ssu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-63-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Sakineh Raeisi raeisisakineh376@gmail.com 0009-0004-3044-2237 No Environmental Health Engineering Student, Student Research Committee, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran Ali Mirbalouchzehi Shafa.5712@gmail.com 0000-0003-1379-3022 No Department of Public Health, School of Public Health and Allied Medical Sciences, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran Mehran Yazdandoust mehranyazdan20@gmail.com 0000-0002-8943-0503 Yes Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Allied Medical Sciences, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran